Project Core Analysis Workshop (Discussing Threats to and Partners for Garchomp + Landorus-T)

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Martin

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Partners

Tangrowth @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 244 HP / 216 Def / 48 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Sleep Powder
- Giga Drain
- Knock Off
- Leech Seed

Nice defensive pivot that acts as a switch-in for Grounds as well as being able to pivot through other 'mons with impunity. Covers opposing Azumarill nicely too, as it gives the core a headache.


Rotom-W @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 SpD
Bold Nature
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Will-O-Wisp
- Pain Split

Another pivot that provides a slow Volt Switch. It baits out Grass-types that Houndoom can mega/set up against and can pivot through Ground-types nicely. It is just a really nice 'mon in general for various types of breakers like Houndoom and Azumarill are and it frees up teambuilding nicely.
 
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Partner: ScarfRachi


Jirachi @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Serene Grace
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Iron Head
- U-turn
- Heart Stamp
- Healing Wish

A fast Healing Wish is always appreciated from stallbreakers with no recovery and to get rid of annoying status. STABs are mandatory with the aid of Serene Grace and a middling fast U-Turn is always nice to have. Houndoom kills the Steels Jirachi struggles with, whereas the latter deals nicely towards Fairies. Azumarill kills Fightings with Knock Off and Fire monsters, whereas Jirachi performs well towards Poisons i.e. Venusaur and Amoonguss, which otherwise hard checks the blue bunny.
 
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Infernal

Banned deucer.
Top partners:

Latias by Amane Misa ~ Latias is a classic partner on teams with Mega Houndoom, doing a good job covering its weaknesses via resistances to Fighting, Water, and Ground. This means Latias can cover problematic threats like Loom, Keld, and so on, for this core reasonably well. In addition, it's able to provide Defog to remove SR for Mega Houndoom, all while bringing Healing Wish to the table.

Tangrowth by Martin. ~ Tangrowth is another good Pokemon to use alongside this core to cover several weaknesses. Tangrowth's ability to handle Ground types like Exca and company is really handy here. Further, covering other threatening Pokemon like Loom, Azu, and Mega Lop is very beneficial for this core.

Low activity this week, so I will be going with a more standard and familiar core in hopes of receiving more submissions. There are many threats and partners for the following, so I look forward to seeing the things you can all come up with here:


Gliscor @ Toxic Orb
Ability: Poison Heal
EVs: 244 HP / 8 Def / 200 SpD / 56 Spe
Careful Nature
- Swords Dance
- Earthquake
- Knock Off
- Roost


Slowbro @ Leftovers
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 252 HP / 232 Def / 24 SpD
Bold Nature
- Calm Mind
- Scald
- Psyshock
- Slack Off

We've mostly been doing offensive cores for a while, so here is a nice balance core with two bulky win conditions in Gliscor and Slowbro. Slowbro does a good job checking Pokemon like Keld for Gliscor. Many teams use bulky Ground types like Lando-T to check various physical threats. Because Gliscor is special defensive here and is broken down more easily by the likes of Exca, Mega Lop, and so on compared to other bulky Ground types, Slowbro's ability to check them well is helpful. In return, Gliscor gives a few things back. For starters, it's a cool Pokemon to use for status absorption. Slowbro really hates status conditions from things like Tran, Mega Sab, and Mew respectively, so having Gliscor in the back for this purpose is really nice. Further, Gliscor helps Slowbro by being able to threaten Pokemon like Tar.

Despite any teamwork behind this core, there are still numerous Pokemon these two have issues with. There are various partners to choose from to help with this issue, and it's up to you all to find them! On a related note, it's also worth mentioning how Mega Slowbro is an option here over its regular form. However, going with regular Slowbro gives you some variability in terms of mega choices and makes building around this core more flexible overall.

You may now begin discussing threats and partners. Make sure to specify whether the Pokemon you mention is a threat or a partner. This will run for 4 or 5 days depending on activity. As discussed HERE, please do not reserve more than two threats or partners when posting. This is to keep things fair and equal for every person looking to contribute.
 
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Sorry, not too familiar with Mega Houndoom so...

Threats:

1)

Thundurus @ Life Orb
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunder Wave
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Focus Blast

Basically anything with BoltBeam coverage works here. Thundurus outspeeds both Pokemon and OHKOes them with Thunderbolt or Hidden Power Ice. Even if Slowbro is at +1, it still takes 70%+ from Thunderbolt.

2)

Heracross @ Heracronite
Ability: Moxie
EVs: 240 HP / 136 Atk / 132 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Close Combat
- Pin Missile
- Rock Blast
- Swords Dance

Gliscor cannot do anything to Mega Heracross and is set up on to be OHKOed by +2 Rock Blast. Pin Missile also OHKOes Slowbro without any boosts.
 
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HailFall

my cancer is sun and my leo is moon
is a threat
Azumarill @ Choice Band
Ability: Huge Power
EVs: 172 HP / 252 Atk / 84 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Play Rough
- Waterfall
- Aqua Jet
- Superpower / Knock Off

Azumarill can 2HKO both of these mons just by clicking Play Rough due to its already incredible power further bolstered by a Choice Band.

252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Azumarill Play Rough vs. 244 HP / 8 Def Gliscor: 220-259 (62.5 - 73.5%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Poison Heal
252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Azumarill Play Rough vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Slowbro: 184-217 (46.7 - 55%) -- 99.6% chance to 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery

is a potential partner
Skarmory @ Leftovers / Rocky Helmet / Shed Shell
Ability: Sturdy
EVs: 248 HP / 252 Def / 8 Spe
Impish Nature
- Brave Bird
- Spikes / Defog
- Roost
- Whirlwind / Taunt

Skarmory proves itself a nice partner here due to its ability to switch into Azumarill's Play Rough, support these two with Spikes or Defog, and potentially phaze any Belly Drum Azumarill granted that Sturdy is still intact. In addition, Skarmory provides a way to deal with certain other pokemon this core simply isnt prepped for as it stands such as Weavile, Mega Pinsir, and Mega Scizor
 
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Martin

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Partner

Amoonguss @ Black Sludge
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 248 HP / 116 Def / 144 SpD
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Spore
- Giga Drain
- Clear Smog
- Hidden Power Fire

Amoonguss is a good partner for a few reasons. It checks Thundurus nicely (EVs take 2 HP Ices after rocks), helps with opposing setup through Clear Smog and lures both Scizor and Ferrothorn with HP Fire. It defensively cockblocks most grasses. It does other stuff but the general gist is that its incredible bulk+regen+good range of utility helps immensely.

Edit: oh yeah it also forms a potent Regenerator core with Slowbro.
 
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Reserving Partner: Heatran


Heatran @ Leftovers
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 252 HP / 188 SpD / 68 Spe
Calm Nature
- Lava Plume
- Toxic
- Taunt
- Stealth Rock

Heatran is a good check to common Electric- or Grass-types (such as Mega Manectric, Thundurus and Celebi) and to Gengar (Hex/Icy Wind variants) that can be annoying.
This is the classic SpD set, so the choices are explained in the dex. Taunt makes more sense in this case (over the two other options, Roar and Protect) because it makes more safe a Slowbro switch-ins when the opponent's pokemon run Toxic on its set and makes easier stacking up Calm Minds.


Reserving Partner: Ferrothorn


Ferrothorn @ Leftovers
Ability: Iron Barbs
EVs: 252 HP / 88 Def / 168 SpD
Relaxed Nature
- Stealth Rock
- Leech Seed
- Thunder Wave
- Power Whip

This is the classic utility set, but with the useful addition of Thunder Wave in order to gain free turn for CM Slowbro and to replenish the health of Ferrothorn and/or Gliscor. This status move is generally more useful than Protect (which leaves us too passive). Power Whip is the preferred STAB due to the fact that Gyro Ball is nerfed towards a paralyzed pokemon.
 
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Amane Misa

Bring Them Home Now!
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Threat:


Raikou @ Leftovers
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Calm Mind
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Substitute

Raikou is able to Calm Mind on Slowbro's face and proceed to OHKO both with Stealth Rock up.
 
Threat: Mega Venusaur
Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Chlorophyll
EVs: 232 HP / 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 20 Spe
Modest Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Hidden Power Fire
- Synthesis
Offensive Mega Venusaur can tank psyshocks from Slowbro and retaliate with a powerful Giga Drain. It's also neutral to Gliscor's earthquakes and can recover any health lost through giga drain and synthesis. Due to it's defensive typing and natural bulk, both these pokemon have trouble breaking through this tank.
Threat: Serperior
Serperior @ Leftovers
Ability: Contrary
EVs: 56 HP / 200 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Leaf Storm
- Hidden Power Fire
- Substitute
- Leech Seed
Both Gliscor and Slowbro have trouble breaking through this thing due to it's resistance to Gliscor's STAB Earthquake and Slowbro's STAB Scald. It can also leech their health through leech seed, hide behind a sub, and set up alongside Slowbro's Calm Minds using the combination of Leaf Storm + Contrary. Serperior can even break through Gliscor in 2-3 hits due to contrary. This is a very threatening pokemon that destroys this core offensively.
 
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Threat

Weavile @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Knock Off
- Icicle Crash
- Ice Shard
- Swords Dance

Weavile is a threat to Slowbro + Gliscor, because it's able to hit them super effectively with it's STABs. Icicle Crash OHKOs Gliscor, while Knock Off does a big chunk to Slowbro. It's also able to utilise Swords Dance, to become a big threat to the rest of the opposing team as well. Although Weavile can beat both Slowbro and Gliscor, switching in isn't always without risk, because Slowbro can burn with Scald or Gliscor can hit it with an Earthquake.

Weavile vs Slowbro
0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Weavile: 99-117 (35.2 - 41.6%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
+1 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Weavile: 148-175 (52.6 - 62.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
252 Atk Life Orb Weavile Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Slowbro: 268-320 (68 - 81.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
252 Atk Life Orb Weavile Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Slowbro: 179-213 (45.4 - 54%) -- 42.2% chance to 2HKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Weavile Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Slowbro: 359-424 (91.1 - 107.6%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
+2 252 Atk Weavile Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Slowbro: 410-486 (104 - 123.3%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Weavile Knock Off vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Slowbro: 276-326 (70 - 82.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

You can beat Slowbro with Knock Off, especially after an SD, but you have to watch out for potential Scald burns, which will neuter Weavile. If you get Knocked Off by Gliscor, beating Slowbro will be a bit more annoying, but a boosted Knock Off will OHKO a Slowbro holding an item, and if Slowbro isn't holding an item, it still takes a big chunck from Knock Off, meaning that you can finish it if it has taken prior damage.

Weavile vs Gliscor
252 Atk Life Orb Weavile Icicle Crash vs. 244 HP / 8 Def Gliscor: 567-671 (161 - 190.6%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Weavile Icicle Crash vs. 244 HP / 8 Def Gliscor: 436-516 (123.8 - 146.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252 Atk Life Orb Weavile Ice Shard vs. 244 HP / 8 Def Gliscor: 265-317 (75.2 - 90%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Poison Heal
252 Atk Weavile Ice Shard vs. 244 HP / 8 Def Gliscor: 204-244 (57.9 - 69.3%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Poison Heal
+2 252 Atk Weavile Ice Shard vs. 244 HP / 8 Def Gliscor: 408-484 (115.9 - 137.5%) -- guaranteed OHKO
+2 252 Atk Life Orb Weavile Knock Off (97.5 BP) vs. 244 HP / 8 Def Gliscor: 320-376 (90.9 - 106.8%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
0 Atk Gliscor Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Weavile: 145-172 (51.6 - 61.2%) -- guaranteed 2HKO

You beat Gliscor with Icicle Crash, and if it's weakened you can use Ice Shard to finish it off reliably. +2 Knock Off can also knock out Gliscor, which can prevent mindgames. Earthquake 2HKOs you though, so be cautious of that, and Knock Off removes Weavile's Life Orb, which can be annoying.
 
Partner

Tyranitar @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Sand Stream
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Stone Edge
- Crunch
- Pursuit
- Superpower

Both members of this core are beaten by M-Latias, can be threatened by electrics if weakened (especially Gliscor vs an HP Ice), and can be broken through by some wallbreakers like Icy Wind Gengar and Latios. ScarfTar covers these threats by either trapping them with Pursuit or straight-up beating them 1v1.
 
Partner

Venusaur @ Venusaurite
Ability: Thick fat
EVs: 248 HP / 96 Def / 144 SpD / 20 Spe
Bold Nature
- Giga Drain
- Sludge Bomb
- Synthesis
- Hidden Power Fire

this mon counter all of the threats that have been posted so far well other than Mega heracross but lets be real that thing doesn't have switch ins other than like max def bold clefable, like venusaur does the job of resisting Ice and electric which is really big well it does not resist ice but like what Ice move it doing damage to this thing like 252 Atk Life Orb Weavile Icicle Crash vs. 248 HP / 96+ Def Thick Fat Mega Venusaur: 120-143 (33 - 39.3%) -- 99.8% chance to 3HKO I really confused why no one hasnt made this one all ready but yea I mean there was one saying it was a treat but none saying it was a partner .Also not only does venasuar benefit slowbro and gliscor but they benefit it two as gliscor provides a status adsorber for it. over I think Mega venusaur rounds of this core nicely.
 
Partner:


Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Blaze
EVs: 248 HP / 32 Atk / 112 SpD / 116 Spe
Adamant Nature
- Flare Blitz
- Dragon Claw / Earthquake
- Will-O-Wisp
- Roost

Not a very good set nowadays but Zard-X patches up the weakness to Electric-types, Mega Heracross and Mega Scizor. Depending on the set, it can also 1 v 1 Serperior which is quite threatening to the team. Zard's weakness to Sand teams is compensated for by Gliscor and Slowbro. Dragon Claw is used to make the Mega Latias match-up less annoying. Earthquake is a viable alternative to not get walled by Heatran though.
 
THREAT:

Medicham @ Medichamite
Ability: Pure Power
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Speed
Adamant Nature
- Fake Out
- High Jump Kick
- Ice Punch
- Thunder Punch

Mega Medicham is a powerful threat to the Gliscor/Slowbro core. While you have to be careful hard switching Medicham in, as Earthquake from Gliscor does about half and you always have to worry about Scald burns, once Medicham is in it can do good damage to both Pokemon. Gliscor is outsped and OHKO'd, and Thunder Punch always 2HKO's Slowbro after Stealth Rock and has a VERY (read: >95%) good chance to 2HKO even with rocks. Furthermore, although Thunder Punch isn't that uncommon anymore, not everyone assumes Medicham will be carrying it. This means that with a little clever play you can bring in Medicham on Gliscor and Thunder Punch directly on the switch to Slowbro. The best thing this core can do against Medicham is send out Slowbro, click Scald, and pray for the 30%.

252+ Atk Pure Power Mega Medicham Ice Punch vs. 244 HP / 8 Def Gliscor: 492-580 (139.7 - 164.7%) -- guaranteed OHKO
252+ Atk Pure Power Mega Medicham Thunder Punch vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Slowbro: 204-242 (51.7 - 61.4%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Stealth Rock and Leftovers recovery
252+ Atk Pure Power Mega Medicham Thunder Punch vs. 252 HP / 232+ Def Slowbro: 204-242 (51.7 - 61.4%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

0 Atk Gliscor Earthquake vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Medicham: 118-139 (45.2 - 53.2%) -- 32.8% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 0 HP / 0 SpD Mega Medicham: 99-117 (37.9 - 44.8%) -- guaranteed 3HKO


PARTNER:

Doublade @ Eviolite
Ability: No Guard
EVs: 252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
- Rest
- Sleep Talk
- Toxic
- Gyro Ball

Doublade is one of the few things in OU that fears absolutely nothing from Mega Medicham. The best Medicham can do is Thunder Punch, which is at best a 4HKO. Meanwhile, Doublade easily 2HKO's with Gyro Ball.

Doublade is also a fantastic choice because it counters a few other threats to this core that other posters have mentioned - specifically, Choice Band Azumarill and Mega Heracross. Doublade can Toxic stall Azumarill with RestTalk, and Mega Heracross simply cannot touch him. If you decide you'd like to counter Azumarill even more completely, you can run a more defensive EV spread and still handle Medicham and Heracross easily, but the special bulk is generally more useful.

252+ Atk Pure Power Mega Medicham Thunder Punch vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Doublade: 70-83 (21.7 - 25.7%) -- 68.9% chance to 4HKO after Stealth Rock
252+ Atk Choice Band Huge Power Azumarill Waterfall vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Doublade: 112-133 (34.7 - 41.3%) -- guaranteed 3HKO after Stealth Rock
252 Atk Mega Heracross Rock Blast (5 hits) vs. 252 HP / 4 Def Eviolite Doublade: 40-50 (12.4 - 15.5%) -- possible 7HKO after Stealth Rock

0 Atk Doublade Gyro Ball (111 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Medicham: 148-175 (56.7 - 67%) -- guaranteed 2HKO
0 Atk Doublade Gyro Ball (101 BP) vs. 0 HP / 4 Def Mega Heracross: 105-124 (34.8 - 41.1%) -- guaranteed 3HKO
 
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AD impish john

Consumed by Darkness...
Threat

Latias @ Latiasite
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 8 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Recover
- Reflect Type/Defog/T-Wave/Calm Mind

Honestly anything with "BoltBeam" destroys this Core, and Mega Latias is no exception. Gliscor can't do anything against Mega Latias as it outspeeds and finished off with an I-Beam. Slowbro if weakened really doesn't want to take a T-Bolt, however if it's at enough health it can Calm Mind being able to tank opposing hits. This can be beaten if Mega Latias is running Calm Mind, however Reflect Type and T-Wave are so much better to run instead.

8 SpA Mega Latias Ice Beam vs. 244 HP / 200+ SpD Gliscor: 316-376 (89.7 - 106.8%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO
8 SpA Mega Latias Thunderbolt vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Slowbro: 204-242 (51.7 - 61.4%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery
8 SpA Mega Latias Thunderbolt vs. +1 252 HP / 24 SpD Slowbro: 136-162 (34.5 - 41.1%) -- 65.6% chance to 3HKO after Leftovers recovery
+1 8 SpA Mega Latias Thunderbolt vs. +1 252 HP / 24 SpD Slowbro: 204-242 (51.7 - 61.4%) -- 96.9% chance to 2HKO after Leftovers recovery

+2 0 Atk Gliscor Knock Off vs. 248 HP / 0 Def Mega Latias: 154-182 (42.4 - 50.1%) -- 0.4% chance to 2HKO
0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Mega Latias: 30-36 (8.2 - 9.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
+1 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. 248 HP / 0 SpD Mega Latias: 45-54 (12.3 - 14.8%) -- possible 7HKO
+1 0 SpA Slowbro Scald vs. +1 248 HP / 0 SpD Mega Latias: 30-36 (8.2 - 9.9%) -- possibly the worst move ever
 
Threats:
1)

Starmie @ Life Orb
Ability: Analytic
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Hydro Pump
- Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam
- Recover / Rapid Spin / Psychic

2)

Manaphy @ Leftovers
Ability: Hydration
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Tail Glow
- Scald
- Ice Beam
- Energy Ball

Surprised nobody posted these yet. Starmie destroys Gliscor with Ice Beam / Hydro Pump while dealing 60% + to Slowbro with Thunderbolt, KOing it even after it achieved +1 SpD. Manaphy just sets up a Tail Glow and OHKOes everything with boosted Scald and Energy Ball.

3)

Gardevoir @ Gardevoirite
Ability: Trace
EVs: 16 HP / 8 Def / 232 SpA / 252 Spe
Modest Nature
- Hyper Voice
- Psyshock
- Focus Blast
- Taunt / Will-O-Wisp / Calm Mind

Although Mega Gardevoir can't OHKO members of the core, Pixilate Hyper Voice still possess enough power to take a large chunk (65%+ from Gliscor and 74%+ from Slowbro) of HP from the Pokemon of this core. Scald hardly does anything while Mega Gardevoir can survive an Earthquake. If you want to stomp on this core further, you can use Calm Mind which allows Mega Gard to OHKO both members at +1.
 
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Threat and Partner

Charizard-Mega-Y @ Charizardite Y
Ability: Solar Power
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Fire Blast
- Solar Beam
- Earthquake
- Roost

CharizardY completely dismantles this core with it's powerfull Stab and Coverage. Both Members of the Core get outsped. In Addition the only real moves to hit Zard are Knock and Psyshock, which can be taken with ease

Gliscor get's almost OHKOd by Zard in the Sun (252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. 244 HP / 200+ SpD Gliscor in Sun: 286-337 (81.2 - 95.7%) -- guaranteed 2HKO after Poison Heal) while Slowbro get's OHKOd by Solar Beam ~50% of the time (252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Solar Beam vs. 252 HP / 24 SpD Mega Slowbro: 356-420 (90.3 - 106.5%) -- 43.8% chance to OHKO)

But ZardY doesn't stop there as it breaks through some of the cores Most helpfull partners:

Amoongus is great for it's ability to check bulky grass-types, spread sleep, remove setup and pivot around thanks to Regenerator, but get's OHKOd by Zard (252 SpA Mega Charizard Y Fire Blast vs. 252 HP / 120+ SpD Amoonguss in Sun: 596-704 (137.9 - 162.9%) -- guaranteed OHKO | ~50% OHKOd outside of the Sun)

The same goes for Doublade, Ferrothorn and Skarmory, both mons to support the core with Spikes, Rocks, Defog and a Check to powerfull Fairys like Azu or MAlt, but ZardY get's past them as well

Thanks to it's general greatness in the Meta right now with the rise of Pursuit and High Usage of KnockOff users such as Weavile, ZardYs best Counters being Chansey and Latios really struggle, making it a Great Threat to the Core which has very little counterplay

For all the previously mentioned Reasons ZardY is a great Partner for the core as well: removes bulky Grasses and, most important, breaks through Walls so that Glisc+Bro can attemp to set up and sweep since they miss out on raw firepower
 
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Infernal

Banned deucer.
Really nice activity this week, thank you so much for the contributions everyone! Lots of good ones, here are the top partners:

Tyranitar by OverlordDerp ~ Tar helps with a large number of issues for this core. For starters, it's clear the core has problems with Pokemon carrying Electric + Ice coverage, with examples being Thund-I, Kyurem-B, Mega Latias, and Starmie. Tar checks all of these Pokemon and can eliminate them from the match via trapping. In addition to checking these troublesome threats, Tar contributes further by being able to help the core deal with other Pokemon like Gengar, Char-Y, Mega Pinsir, and so on. A core with Slowbro + Gliscor may sometimes decide to run Spikes as well, and Tar's ability to provide hazard control by threatening OU's common removers is an added plus. All of this combined makes Tar an amazing partner for the core overall.

Mega Venusaur by kek123 ~ Mega Venu also helps the core deal with a good number of threats. It's able to handle the likes of Thund-I, Breloom, and Serp nicely. Other Grass type partners like Amoonguss can also do this and are equally fine to use alongside the core. However, I gave Mega Venu the edge because physical defensive variants are able to check Weavile decently well thanks to its ability and bulk. Also has the advantage of checking standard 3 attacks Manaphy (Ice Beam, Scald, Energy Ball) more reliably.

Heatran by nameless90 ~ Any team with Gliscor + Slowbro will need a Steel type, and Tran is definitely one of the best options for the job. This is because it's able to cover a nice amount of threats for the core, such as Mega Sciz, a Pokemon the other top partners can't cover. In addition, Tran helps the core with other threats like Mega Latias, Serp, and Mega Manec. Bringing SR to the table is another nice contribution. The only thing I would like to add to the original nomination is the possibility of running Timid with 248 HP / 8 SpD / 252 Spe on Tran. This makes sure you can check Mega Sciz as reliably as possible and also means Tran gets the jump on other Pokemon like Mega Hera, who threatens this core heavily.

New core:

Gengar @ Life Orb
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Wave
- Focus Blast
- Will-O-Wisp / Icy Wind

Scizor-Mega @ Scizorite
Ability: Technician
EVs: 248 HP / 32 Atk / 120 Def / 108 SpD
Impish Nature
- Swords Dance
- Bullet Punch
- U-turn
- Roost

I've been wanting to do a core with Gengar for a while, so here we are. Even though trappers like Tar and Weavile are very popular, Gengar can still be a relatively threatening Pokemon in a metagame where many teams use Pokemon like Clefable, Tangrowth, Slowbro, and Jirachi for their defensive needs. In regards to the core, Mega Scizor does a good job checking Tar, Weavile, and other threats like Mega Lopunny for Gengar. With U-turn, it's also able to bring Gengar in for free to apply pressure on common switch-ins like Lando-T and Skarm. Thanks to its higher speed and impressive power, Gengar can also threaten to shave off a good chunk of health from other common Mega Scizor switch ins like Keldeo. As a whole, Mega Scizor benefits from Gengar's ability to punch holes in the opposing team and soften things up before going for a sweep.

You may now begin discussing threats and partners. Make sure to specify whether the Pokemon you mention is a threat or a partner. This will run for 4 or 5 days depending on activity. As discussed HERE, please do not reserve more than two threats or partners when posting. This is to keep things fair and equal for every person looking to contribute.
 
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Threat:


Talonflame
Ability: Gale Wings
EVs: 248 HP / 252 SpD / 8 Spe
Careful Nature
- Acrobatics
- Roost
- Bulk Up
- Will-O-Wisp

Talonflame can cripple Scizor with Will-O-Wisp and then set up with Bulk Up. Acrobatics bypasses Gengar's higher Speed and OHKOes it at +1.

Partner:


Thundurus @ Leftovers
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Nasty Plot
- Thunderbolt
- Hidden Power Ice
- Grass Knot / Thunder Wave

Thundurus helps to offensively pressure Mega Sableye who can otherwise burn Scizor and shrug off Gengar's Shadow Ball. It also serves to weaken Pokemon like Gastrodon, Heatran and Tornadus-T which can be a roadblock for the core to get past. If desired, Thunder Wave can be used to provide more utility.
 
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Partner:


Set:
Rotom-Wash @ Leftovers
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 248 HP / 208 Def / 52 Spe
Bold Nature
IVs: 0 Atk
- Volt Switch
- Hydro Pump
- Pain Split
- Will-O-Wisp


Rotom-wash works well with this core because one it and scizor form a defensive partnership with zero weakness well thier is Moldbreaker ground type moves but yea almost flawless also it works well because Gengar benefits from the free switch from rotom-w and mega scizor making a volt-turn core giving gengar constant free switch in which is very helpful because gengar has very bad defensive stats Rotom-w also works well with the core because scizor and gengar do well against its common switch like lati's and clefable.

Set details:
The 248 HP is so you take less from rocks on the switch in and the 52 speed makes it so that rotom-w can out speed 8 speed lando-t which is the standard defensive set.
 

Amane Misa

Bring Them Home Now!
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Threat

Tornadus-Therian @ Assault Vest
Ability: Regenerator
EVs: 96 HP / 160 SpA / 252 Spe
Hasty Nature
- Hurricane
- Heat Wave
- U-turn
- Knock Off


Tornadus-T can eat any attack Gengar goes for and proceed to Knock Off. It can also eat a +2 Bullet Punch from Mega Scizor from full and KO back with Heat Wave.

Threat



Sableye @ Sablenite
Ability: Prankster
EVs: 252 HP / 112 Def / 144 SpD
Careful Nature
- Knock Off
- Will-O-Wisp
- Recover
- Foul Play

Mega Sableye can eat any attack Gengar throws at it and KO back with Knock Off or Foul Play. It can also burn Scizor or Foul Play as it attempts to boost its attack stat.

Partner

Heatran @ Air Balloon / Leftovers / Power Herb
Ability: Flash Fire
EVs: 4 Def / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Magma Storm
- Earth Power
- Flash Cannon / Solar Beam / Toxic / Taunt
- Stealth Rock


Heatran can trap Mega Sableye and switch into any attack Heat Wave Tornadus-T throws at it.
 

Martin

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Partner

Bisharp @ Life Orb
Ability: Defiant
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Adamant / Jolly Nature
IVs: 29 HP
- Swords Dance
- Knock Off
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch

Bisharp makes for a really good partner to this core for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it has extremely good offensive synergy with Gengar, sharing a number of similar checks due to Ghost- and Dark- having very similar offensive coverage while also being able to beat others for it (most notably having a good matchup vs. AV Torn-T which gives Gengar a bit of a headache due to it's speed tier+regen+KOff+"only" getting 2HKOed after rocks). In addition, it shares a number of checks with Scizor that it can help weaken, further improving the offensive synergy with the core, while also forming an SD spam core with it and also benefitting from the slow U-turn that Scizor provides. All in all it is an extremely solid partner for this core.
 
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